The newly constructed west train station connects the north and south parts of the city Tianjin. A cylindrical shell, consisting of a diamond-shaped machined beam system, creates the almost 400 m long barrel-shaped roof. The shell is self-supporting and joined to the concrete structure along its edges using bending resistant connections. The facade is carried by a joist system in-between the diamond shapes. The front side was enclosed using a radial truss facade. The connection between the front side and the shell was designed so that only horizontal loads can be transferred in the direction of the shell. A lightweight, far-spanning truss structure spans the associated train station roofs.
